Bringing vehicle to PV for a yr or so?/Paperwork

[splitfin78]

Im from San Diego, Ca. I bought a 1999 surburban and am going to be towing my 25ft fishing boat down for one yr or so. I'm going to leave my vehicle/boat and fly back and forth. I havent registered my vehicle yet, thinking of registering in South dakota. Do i need to get the 10yr. importation? Do i have to get a FM3? Would rather just have my 6 month visa and Just bring the truck home in a yr or so. Can i just say i'm visiting and going home in a couple weeks if i get pulled over? Thanks, Nic.

[roadsterman]

I have only been here 1 season so far. I suspect no one has replied because it is a touchy area. I know when I drove down from Nogales, I had to buy a "sticker" for my Jeep for the 180 day tourista visa. I also had to give a sizeable deposit on my credit card to ensure my vehicle would cross back over the border before the visa expires...otherwise you forfeit the deposit. Now that I have obtained my FM3 I plan to leave my vehicle here permanently next season, but will drive it home this time. I am sure someone on this site can give you more information than that, but I am fairly sure you can't leave your car and boat here for a year (legally) with out an FM3. I hope this helps you.

[freeeye]

If you bring it in with an FM3 you can leave it here as long as the FM3 is valid. You do not have to take it out with you if you go someplace else for a trip.

I don't know much about bringing it in on a tourist visa except that I'm pretty sure you will lose your deposit if you do not take it out in 6 months. I also don't know how you go about changing its status if you change your status from tourist visa to FM3.

[kcowan]

A car brought in on an FMT can remain legally if you have gotten an FM3 before the FMT expires.

A trailer is another matter. I recall seeing something about it on the Expats in Mexico board. I think the trailer must always be with the vehicle (when crossing the border).